Orlando Titans close in on playoff spot, see attendance increase in first year in Central Florida

April 9, 2010|By Matt Reinstetle, Orlando Sentinel

The Orlando Titans are grateful for the reception they have received from the city this season.

After spending three seasons in New York, the Titans now call Orlando home. The Titans thank the crowd after each home game in the Amway Arena for being there to support them as they get closer to the playoffs.

"After we shake hands with the other team, our whole team does a lap with our sticks in the air to show support back to the fans," forward Casey Powell said. "It's great that we have been having such a good following so far, and we are excited to have a playoff push."

With four games left in the National Lacrosse League regular season, the Titans will host the Washington Stealth at 7:35 Saturday night at Amway Arena. The Titans (8-4) sit on top of the East Division as they face the West Division leading Stealth (9-4).

The Titans can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Washington or two losses by the Rochester Knighthawks. Rochester played Friday night at the Minnesota Swarm and are set to host the Philadelphia Wings on Saturday ngiht.

"Every game is must-win when you are trying to make the playoffs and try to secure any type of positioning, so we don't get too far ahead of ourselves," Titans coach Ed Comeau said.

Four teams from each division make the NLL's single-elimination playoffs, which will begin April 30 and conclude with the NLL championship game the weekend of May 15. Last season, the New York Titans reached the NLL title game but lost to the Calgary Roughnecks 12-10.

Since moving to Orlando, the Titans' average announced attendance has increased from an estimated 4,500 fans to 6,964 fans per game. The league attendance average is 9,376, but nine of the 11 teams in the league have been in their cities for at least four years.

The Titans have a one-year lease with the city of Orlando, but the team plans to have a multiyear lease in the next 60-90 days to move into the Amway Center next season, Titans President Steve Donner said.

While several Titans still live in the Northeast and fly to games, eight players reside in the Orlando area, including Powell, who leads the team with 30 goals.

"The people in Florida have really embraced us," Comeau said. "The guys we have living in the market rave about the fans and about how people are aware of the team and know that we are there and that a big factor. People know there is a professional lacrosse team called the Titans in Orlando, and that's a huge step for us."